Dear friends,

This Sunday we look forward with great joy to celebrating St Alban’s Day with our Patronal Festival Mass. This is always a highlight in the life of our parish as we honour our patron saint, St Alban, the first martyr of Britain.

At the beginning of the service, you are invited to bring a red rose as an offering to St Alban’s shrine, and perhaps wear something red too.

While this is a joyful occasion, it is also tinged with sadness as we prepare to say goodbye to Fr Joshua, our Assistant Curate, who has served faithfully among us for the past three years.

During his time at St Alban’s, Fr Joshua has been a dedicated and much-loved deacon and priest. He has enriched our worship through his thoughtful preaching, music & singing, and reverent ministry at the altar, supported our pastoral life with kindness and compassion, and built strong connections across the parish—from working with our young people/young adults and families to visiting the sick and housebound. His presence has been a great blessing to us all, and he will be greatly missed.

On a personal note, he has been a good friend to me and a true joy to work alongside in the proclamation of the Gospel in this church. We have shared daily prayer together, morning and evening, and shared in the Eucharist each day; his deeply prayerful presence has been a constant source of strength and encouragement.

Following the Patronal Mass this Sunday, there will be an opportunity to give thanks for Fr Joshua’s ministry at a parish party in the hall. Please do come along and join in this time of fellowship and celebration.

We invite you to contribute to the festivities by bringing “food, glorious food!” Please ensure that it arrives at the hall by around 9:30am, ahead of the Mass.

As Fr Joshua prepares to take up his new role as Parish Priest of St Andrew’s, Kingsbury, please keep him in your prayers. We also pray for the people of that parish as they prepare to welcome him.

With every blessing,

Fr Sean